Why I pray - part 1

India, among other things - are loud, colourful, curried and overwhelming. But, like a bowl of sweets, you have to dig to find the good ones.

In the process of making this home for the next couple of months, I try to learn as much about the who/ what and why that inspires these people – known as the biggest democracy on earth, with 1.25 billion people, everything works a little different.  Including democracy.  Crossing the street for instance, is a combination of a wild guess, luck and somebody not wanting blood on his hands.

I was asked to film an Indian wedding, a Hindu wedding – known for its glamour and a party that lasts three days. Yes, these people know about partying – first is the Sangeet, which is like the reception that we know: good food, loads of laughter and a big party.  The Mehndi is the following night, where the bride gets henna tattoo’s done on her arms.  The legend is that the longer the Mehndi lasts, the greater your husband-to-be, loves you.  This is also the night is which the women choose their bracelets: a whole table is setup with bracelets in every possible colour and design.  The bride chooses her own and is supposed to wear these for a year after a wedding.

It was a spectacular experience, better than anything I’d hoped for but almost indescribable to others.  Colour, lights, beautiful dresses, nice shoes everywhere – it’s quite easy to feel under-dressed at a wedding.  On the last night, where the wedding ceremony is conducted – the pair is asked, after many rituals, prayers and blessings to walk around the fire seven times. 

I photographed the bride the entire evening, or rather been doing so for 3 days.  Tonight when she was getting ready to enter, with the dance of the girls together with a group of drummers, for a moment she looked frightened.  I guess, like any other bride.  Later, as they began the rituals she said to the groom “Can you believe we’re finally getting married?”. I had to laugh, very typical bride…

As they walked around the fire, I felt a deep sense of connection – not that anything I’ve seen over the past 3 days was familiar to me, but in my world a man & women is brought together by God. The marriage is a bond declared before God, between two people.

I watched many of my friends get married and it still is, one of the most beautiful moments ever. Not the gown, or the hair or the colour scheme but the knowing that God can not only create the earth, and give people the insight to create everything we do, but also to spend time creating unions in His name.  

I walked away in the early hours of the morning with many, beautiful images imprinted in my mind and a happy heart.  God is good, he reminded me of His goodness in the middle of a Hindu marriage ritual.